At the massive Consumer Electronics show (CES) held recently in Las Vegas all the hype centred on 3D. JVC has seen demand for its commercially released HD 3D LCD screens grow significantly in recent months in Australasia and Gencom Technology sales specialist Lyndsey Thompso, who resells JVC screens, has sold two in New Zealand in the last few weeks, one to Digipost and one to Park Road Post.

“Both are being used in review of stereo shoots for 3D film production and 3D animation. Clients are happy with them and I believe most of the larger post houses will purchase them over the next twelve months and the Rugby World Cup will drive some corporate sales too.”

JVC Pro national sales and marketing manager Australia/NZ Noel Oakes thinks there will be a significant uptake in of 3D LCD screens in people’s living rooms throughout this year as more 3D content becomes available (25 games will be broadcast in 3D at the Soccer World Cup, the next Rugby World Cup will be in 3D and the 2012 Olympics are expected to follow suit).

More than twenty 3D movies were developed by Hollywood in 2009 following the establishment of several full-scale 3D movie production and distribution companies in 2008.  But Kiwi broadcasters say 3D programming is a long way away because it’s so expensive to produce and broadcasting requires the use of much more bandwidth.

Sky TV spokesman Tony O’Brien told Stuff.co.nz the technology isn’t likely to appear in New Zealand homes for another four or five years, particularly if they’ve just forked out for HD televisions.

It’s still unclear how much the 3D TVs will cost when they’re released in New Zealand as early as April, but Samsung and Mitsubishi 3D TVs were on offer at CES for between US$1,000 and US$2,800, depending on functionality.

Everett, who was hired as head of production in September, brings a hands-on, craft producer and filmmaker’s eye to the role of general manager, having previously enjoyed significant success as group director of post-production for the world famous Pinewood Shepperton PLC and managing director of St. Anne’s Post for Ascent Media in the UK.

“The world of post production has changed,” Everett says. “We are now involved in the creation of media, stories and graphic images in a very different way than we ever have been before. Oktobor has moved with these changes and I’m pleased to say my role gives the scope for us to change further and lead the way into the new media landscape … We now interpret client briefs, decode scripts and hope to exceed client expectations with our results. Oktobor is now so much more than a facilities house. We do great post production, create digital content and produce world-class VFX.”

The previous general manager, Patrick McAteer, stepped back from the coalface late last year and moved to Wanaka to run the new Lone Star restaurant, although he is still involved with Oktobor in a consultative capacity.

In addition to Everett’s addition, there are three more additions: Cristina Caseres and Zoe Jones will join the account management team and work under account director Ganesh Raj. And the new role of senior producer, digital, will be filled by Amanda Kabel.

Kabel is known in the industry for her role as owner/operator of production services company Kabel TV, where she worked with DDB, Whybin TBWA, Grey Advertising and Lowe on campaigns for Vodafone, NZ lotteries Commission, Tegel, ASB Bank, Nissan, The Warehouse, Griffin’s and Woosh.

Prior to owning Kabel TV she was head of TV production at Young & Rubicam (previously known as Mattingly & Partners), with the role including the daily management of the TV production department and responsibility for million-dollar television budget productions for clients including Air New Zealand, Caltex – Star Mart, Woolworths, PlaceMakers, Farmers, Deka, Mazda, Beaurepaires, Casio, Pioneer, Oxfam and David Reid Electronics.

Casares has 14-years experience as an animator/director/producer. She was the director and founder of La Luna Studios in New Zealand and has worked in many top facilities around the world, including production management at The Pixel Factory (USA) and Chilefilms Group (Chile/Argentina), where she set up the first motion capture facility in Latin America and was involved in stereoscopic short film productions. She has also coordinated projects with Dreamworks, ILM and Weta Workshop.

Zoe Jones returns to Oktobor after a short hiatus having previously been a producer at the company. Jones originally joined from the VTR Group in London and also has significant experience in Telecine.

“Oktobor’s plan for 2010 is further growth through strengthening our team and upgrading our technology offering,” Everett says. “With these three new appointments we are able to give better client management and offer far more in the way of innovative digital services.”